The experimental materials (CS + ZrO and CS + Nb O ) induced fibroblast proliferation and accelerated the regression of the inflammatory reaction. However, the addition of nanoparticulate radiopacifiers did not improve the biological properties of a calcium silicate-based cement when compared to microparticulate agents.

Light is an important factor in the management of laying poultry. The ideal lamp spectrum that provides the best welfare conditions still needs to be determined. Wavelength and light intensity influence poultry behavior and their welfare. This study evaluated the influence of four lamps types with different light spectra on the behavior of seventy 52-week laying hens. Incandescent, fluorescent, and sodium and mercury vapor lamps were set in a different poultry house each and supplied similar light intensities. Layer behavior was video-recorded three times weekly using video cameras installed on the ceiling. The effects of different wavelengths emitted by the light sources on layer behavior were evaluated by the Kruskal-Wallis median test. Results indicated that incandescent and sodium vapor lamps increased the occurrence of nesting, and of active behaviors, such as floor-scratching and pecking.

Background: Chronic hepatitis C causes chronic hepatic inflammation, which can lead to cirrhosis, terminal liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The treatment aims to achieve viral clearance, but the usage of pegylated interferon and ribavirin is linked to side effects such as severe weight loss, which can lead to complications and treatment discontinuation. The aim of this study was to investigate which anthropometric measures were more affected in patients with chronic hepatitis C during 24 weeks of treatment with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. Then, the influence of age, sex, hepatic fibrosis stage, and ribavirin doses on each measure was also evaluated. Methods: Seventy-six patients were included and their weight, triceps skin fold thickness, arm circumference, middle-arm muscle circumference, and corrected arm muscle area were measured before and after 24 weeks of treatment. Epidemiological data and liver biopsy findings were obtained from patients' records. The sample was divided into two groups: one with advanced hepatic fibrosis and another group with mild to moderate fibrosis. Comparisons into each group were made using Wilcoxon or paired t tests. After that, a linear regression model was applied to estimate the anthropometric changes during the treatment according to age, sex, hepatic fibrosis stage, and ribavirin doses. Results: The subjects suffered reductions of important anthropometric measures, mainly related to fat mass (p < 0.001). Some decrease of fat-free mass was also observed in subjects with advanced fibrosis. The statistic model showed that age and sex were more associated with the anthropometric changes observed. Conclusions: In conclusion, the antiviral treatment caused loss of relevant anthropometric measures, and the model proposed was able to estimate some of them.